Blu-ray is a system used to store data on discs. A Blu-ray disc can be used to store motion pictures, video games, or other information. Blu-ray discs use an optical storage technology similar to that used in compact discs (CD’s) and DVD’s. Beneath the disc’s surface, a sequence of pits carries the information in the form of a digital (numeric) code. A device called a Blu-ray player “reads” the pits by shining a laser into the disc. The Blu-ray name refers to the blue-violet laser used in Blu-ray players.
A Blu-ray disc is the same size as a DVD, about 43/4 inches (12 centimeters) in diameter. But a Blu-ray disc can hold several times as much information as a DVD can.
Blu-ray discs can store video at a wide range of resolutions. Resolution is a measure of the detail visible in an image. Most Blu-ray discs store motion pictures at a greater picture quality than do DVD’s. Blu-ray discs are often played using a Blu-ray player connected to a television set. Many such players can also play CD’s and DVD’s. Some video game consoles and computers can also use Blu-ray discs.
An international group of electronics manufacturers developed the Blu-ray format. The first Blu-ray product was released in Japan in 2003, but Blu-ray did not become widely available until 2006.
